Piper Navajo Chieftain PA-31-350 Service Manual page 381

NAVAJO CIEFTAIN SERVICE MANUAL
NOTE
A fabricated tool may be constructed to check through center
travel of the side brace link assembly while the links are installed.
(Refer to Figure 7-35.)
d. Use the fabricated tool in the following procedure:
1. The gear is down and locked with no hydraulic pressure on the system.
NOTE
The airplane may be either on or off jacks.
2. Remove the cotter pins that safety the nuts that secure both upper side brace links to their
attachment plates.
NOTE
On the right gear only, remove the pin at the nut that secures the
lower link to the gear housing. Do not remove the nuts.
3. Place the tool tube through the elongated hole in the tool plate and place the tube over and
between the upper link attachment nuts.
4. Swing the plate up and against the head of the bolt that connects the upper and lower links.
The plate sleeve slides over the nut or the head of the bolt that connects the lower link to the gear housing.
5. Look through the sight hole in the plate to ascertain that the center of the bolt is 0.063 to
0.156 of an inch below the centerline on the plate.
6. Remove the tool and reinstall the cotter pins.
e.
Operate the downlock hook (34) by hand to determine that it engages freely and then open and
close the joint several times to assure that the hook is operating properly.
f.
If the hook operates properly, determine proper clearance between the hook (34) and pin (62)
by engaging the hook and pushing up on the side brace link assembly, where the upper and lower links
hinge, until the hook is tight against the pin. This will allow the link stops to separate. Clearance between
the stops should not exceed 0.020 of an inch. If clearance exceeds 0.020 of an inch and pin is not worn and
the link through travel is within limits; then hook must be replaced.
g.
If hook will not clear pin, file inside surface of hook until minimum clearance is reached between
the link stops as indicated in paragraph "f." Be careful to maintain the new surface parallel with the original
surface. Replace pin if worn.
CAUTION
Do not file pin.
h. To replace pin (62), cut the pin, file off any burrs left by the cut and drive the pin out from each
side. Do not try to drill the pin out as this may damage the link. Install new pin and flange.
i.
With the downlock hook engaged. pull the retraction arm (26) located at the top of the forward
side brace towards the downlock hook to the limits of its travel. Also pull the downlock operating rod or cable
(23) out to its full length and adjust the end until the hook bolt can be freely inserted through the hook lugs.
j. Remove the bolt and extend the end one-half turn, tighten the locknut and install the attaching bolt
and tighten locknut or rod end.
Revised: 3/5/84
LANDING GEAR AND BRAKE SYSTEM
2E14